Planter



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M. NORMAND. v

PLANTER.

No. 455,290. Patented June so, 1891.

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W IIIIHHIIIW (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

.J. M. NORMAND;

PLANTER.

V No. 455,290. ljgtentedJuneBO, 1891.

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lllllllll ma Ncinms PLTERS cm, rucrrvdfflm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J.v M. NORMAND. PLANTER.

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UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. NORMAND, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,290, dated June 30,1891.

Application filed December 24, 1890. Serial No. 375,672. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. NORMAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio,haveinvent-ed certain new and useful Improvements in Planters, of whichthe fdllowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in planters; and it especiallyrelates to that class of planters in which the grain-receptacle islocated within the supporting-wheels, and the planting and spacingaccomplished by the revolution of said wheels, the accuracy of theplanting being determinedor the error of the spacing corrected by meansof an independent controlling or checking device.

My invention consists in the various constructions and combinations ofparts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a machineembodying my in vention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3is a side view of one of the planting-wheels. Fig. 4 is a sectionalvview of the same. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are detail views of thedropping-plungers. Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, are detail views of the camoperating or shifting mechanism.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference in the severalviews.

In the accompanying drawings, A A represents lhe main frame; B B, theplantingwheels; 0, the tongue, and D the doubletrees or hitch throughwhich the power is applied.

The main frame consists, essentially, of a transverse bar E, which maybe formed tubular or solid, round or square, as preferred, and U-shapedauxiliary frames which are connected to said rod or bar and pass aroundthe front and at each side of the respective planting-wheels B B. Theplanting-wheels are each connected rigidly tov a main axle F, whichpasses through a suitable central hearing a on the tongue 0 andauxiliary bearings a a on the extremities of the U -shaped frames E.

Means are provided for tilting the machine or raising and lowering thetongue by an operating-lever G, pivoted in a suitable hearing 1) on thetongue 0, and connected by a suitable link 1) to the transverse bar E,any

suitable well-known device being provided,

tween the outer rim thereof and its hub with a hollow annulargrain-receptacle H, which extends entirely around said wheel andforms apart thereof, the annular receptacle being provided at intervals aboutits periphery with depressions or pockets H, which extend outwardlytherefrom to within a short distance of the outer periphery or rim ofthe wheel. One side ofthis annular receptacle H is formed in the natureof a removable cover H having at intervals thereon projeeting wings orflanges H corresponding to the pockets II and adapted to form one sideof said pocket, the pockets being preferably drawn in or contracted soas to be of less width than the main receptacle, which is preferablyconstructed the full width of the outer periphery or rim of the wheel.The inner hub 13 is connected to the walls of the grain-receptacle, andthence to the outer rim through the medium of a web B and suitablestrengthening-ribs B forming a central core or spider, preferably formedWholly on one side of the center of the plantingwheel, leavingaeorresponding opening or recess B 011 the opposite side of the wheel.

Supported on the main axle, and located within this central recess is a,normally stationary cam J, the outer periphery of which is preferablyformed to fit snugly within and close said recess, the said cam beingprovided with an inner camway or groove 0, (shown in dotted lines inFig. 3,) adapted to operate the movable plungers or planters in themanner hereinafter specified.

Each of the planting-wheels is provided in its outer rim or peripherywith a series of openings, through which are projected movable hollowdropping-plnngers K. These plungers are each extended through theannular grain-receptacle H, and provided with an extended portion 0,projected through the inner wall of said receptacle into the centralannular recess 13, and provided with a stud 0 carrying a suitable roller0 which rests and travels in the camway c in the normally stationary camJ. The conformation of the camway c is such that as the planting-wheelsare revolved the hollow plungers K are adapted to reciprocate throughthe outer rim or periphery of the said wheels, in the manner hereinaftermore fully specified.

The plungers K are located, respectively, in front of the respectivepockets 11', forming a part of the annular grain-receptacle II, the saidplungers being preferably made of a width equal to the width of saidpockets, and thus close the entire front of the same, the projectingportions H of the cover H being adapted to project over the edge of andpartly cover the said plungers, the remainder of that portion of theplunger between the annular receptacle and the outer rim being exposed.The outer end of each of the hollow plungers K is provided wit-h amovable side K, pivoted to the main portion of the plunger at- (Z, andprovided with an outwardly-extending arm (1, in which is j ournaled ananti-friction roller'd The pivoted or movable side K is provided withlaterally-projecting flanges (Z adapted to overlap or telescope with thesides of the main part K of the plunger, and also with a curvedprojecting lip or flange d at the outer end, adapted when in a closedposition to meet a corresponding curved lip or flange d on the mainportion of the plunger, and thus close the end of the same. The hingedor movable part- K of each plunger is also preferably provided with alongitudinal rib d, the opening in the periphery or rim of theplanting-wheel being correspondingly formed to receive said rib and fitsnugly around the same, as well as around the movable and main portionsof the hollow plunger. Immediately under the projecting arm d a smallcurved retess or depression (Z is formed in the rib d, and also in theside of the hinged part K of each plunger. As the plunger is moved outthrough theperiphery of the wheel by the action of the cam, as beforestated, the roller (1 of the projecting arm d comes in contact with theinner periphery of the outer rim, and causes the hinged part K to turnabout its pivoted center, and thus open the outer end of the hollowplunger, the overlapping sides or flanges (Z permitting the necessarymovement of said hinged portion to form an opening at the end of theplunger E without opening the sides thereof. The opening of the plungeroccurs when the recess (1 is passing through the rim or periphery. Asthe plunger is drawn in by the action of the cam the curved sides ofthis recess or depression acts as a cam-track to impart a quick closingmovement tothe hinged portion K of the plunger.

As before stated, one side of each hollow plunger forms the front of andcloses one of the pockets ll of the grain-receptacle. This side of theplunger is provided with a perforation e, which extends through thewalls of said plunger, and is normally open to the grainreceptaclethrough the pocket which communicates therewith.

Located within the hollow plunger and adapted to normally cover theopening orperforation e is a stationary plate a, supported from thecentral hub or spider B of the wheel by a connecting-rod e which rodpasses through a suitable opening 6 in the inner end of the hollowplunger, and is preferably provided at its respective ends with rightand left screwthreads, by which it is connected in suitable openings inthe inner hub and in the plate, respectively, this being a simple formof connection adapted to support said stationary plates, and at the sametime furnish means for adjusting the same to or from the center of thewheel to cause them to register properly with the openings or perforations c in the side of the plunger. As the planting-wheel revolves,the cam J causes the plungers to be withdrawn through the rim of thewheel during that portion of the revolution at which the said plungersare at the top of the wheel or above the center of revolution, theplungers being gradually forced out as they pass below the center ofrevolution. During all this time the perforation or opening 6 is incommunication with its pocket of thegrain-receptacle and becomes filledwith the grain therein. This outward movement of the plunger continuesuntil the outer periphery of the roller (1 has almost reached the innerperipheryof the rim of the wheel, at which point the lower edge of theperforation or open ing c is opposite the outer wall of the pocket- Hand the outer end of the stationary plate 6. In this position theplunger remains stationary until by the further revolution of the wheelit has assumed a substantially vertical position, when by theconformation of the cam-track aquick outward movement of the plunger isproduced, which forces the plunger to the proper depth in the ground andcauses the perforation c to pass the plate 6 on one side and the outerwall of the pocket H on the other, thus dropping the corn into the lowerend of said hollow plunger, which, at the same time, is opened by themovement of the movable part K, as before described, permitting the cornto escape through the outer end of said plunger. As the wheel continuesits revolution the parts are returned to their normal positions, thefirst inward movement of the plunger causing the outward end thereof tobe closed in the manner specified, after which, as the movementcontinues, the perforation is closed on one side by the plate 6 andopened on the other into the grain-receptacle ready for a repetition ofthe operation.

By the use of the grain-receptacle having the pockets therein, asdescribed, it will be seen that the grain to be plantcdis brought closeto the periphery of the outer wheel before it is released or droppedfrom the grainreceptacle, so that it has but a short distance to fallwhen finally dropped by the action of the plunger, the conformation ofthe outer end of the plunger with the movable side with the overlappingprojecting flanges preventing any dirt or foreign substances fromentering said plunger.

To prevent the corn from being bunched when dropped through the outerend of the hollow plunger, I provide on each side thereof dividingflanges or wings 6 6 These dividing or scattering flanges in therespective sides of the plunger-i. e., the stationary and movingsides-are adapted to overlap and telescope, and are preferably so shapedas to present a short sharp edge or apex a just below the perforation e,so that the grain is divided at this point and conveyed on each side ofsaid dividing wings or flanges,and bunching of the grain when droppingthrough the outer end is prevented.

In the operation of this machine, as before stated, the plungers are allcaused to reciprocate in and out through the outer rim or periphery ofthe planting-wheels, so that in the operation of planting they areprojected outwardly and into the ground at the bottom portion of therevolution of the wheel and withdrawn at the top portion.

To provide for conveying or moving the machine from place to placewithout additional supports other than the plantingwheels, I furnishmeans for changing the position of the cam J, so that the operation ofthe plungers will be reversed-i. 6., projecting during the upper part ofeach revolution of the planting-wheel. and withdrawn at the lower partsothat while the action of the plungers is continued no droppin of thegrain is produced, and a smooth even periphery is secured at the bottomof the wheel adapted to travel on any ordinary road or other hardsurface. This I accomplish as follows: The back of the cam is providedwith two concentrical grooves f and f, which areextended concentricallyaround the center of said cam slightly more than'a semi-circumference,and each provided at one end with a stop-face f adapted to contact withsliding stop-pins f f when moved into said grooves in the mannerhereinafter more fully specified. These stop-pins f f are journaled andsupported in suitable bearings f located on each side and preferablyslightly above the main bearing a of the axle F. Pivoted to the top ofthe bearing a is an oscillating bar f, connected at each end by suitableprojections f to the respective stop-pins)" f, so that as the bar f isoscillated one of the pins is forced into and the other withdrawn fromthe respective grooves f f. In the normal position of the cam whenplanting the pin f is in the groove f and in contact with the stop-facef thereof. By reversing the position of the pinsz1. e., withdrawing thepin f and inserting the pin f the cam is permitted to move one-half of arevolution about its center, being carried by the revolution of theWheel and the plungers therein, at which point it will come in contactwith the stop-face f of its groove f, and hold the cam in this position.By again reversing the position of thepins the cam is permitted to makeanother half-revolution, thus completing the revolution back to itsnormal position, each movement changing the position of the cam, so thatin one case the plungers will be operated during the lower half of therevolution of the planting-wheels, and in the other case during theupper half of the revolution thereof.

To provide for shifting the. position of the cams for each of theplantingwheels simultaneously, I connect the rocking levers f bysuitable connecting-rods f to a central revolving plate f having aprojecting lever or handle f the said connecting-rods being pivoted tosaid plate in such a manner that as said plate is revolved upon itspivoted center the levers f are simultaneously operated to produce theproper movements of the stoppins, as before described.

To provide for checking the dropping mechanism operated by therevolution of the wheels and to prevent an increase or decrease in thedistance traveled during a given number of revolutionsof said wheels, Iemploy a stationary check-wire L, stretched across the field in awell-known manner and having engaging projections g, which engage inV-shaped teeth 9 of a check-wheel L, journaled on a suitablesupporting-stud g on the main frame and carrying a pinion g which mesheswith an intermediate pinion g, engaging with a gear or pinion g on themain axle F, the gearing being such that the peripheral speed of thecheck-wheel L and the planting-wheel B is the same, any error in thedistance traveled by the planting-wheels being thus corrected.

I have shown in each planting-wheel eight movable plungers, adapted toplant a hill at an interval equal to one-eighth of the circumference ofthe wheel. It is obyious that any desired number may be used, theconstruction shown in the drawings being preferable for sowing corn orplanting grain Without reference in one row to the hills of another row.In planting corn, however, it is generally desirable that the hills inone row correspond or check with the hills of the other rows in orderthat the hills will be in line in either direction in a well-knownmanner and for obvious reasons. To accomplish this I preferably use buttwo plungers, arranged diametrically-opposite to each other in theplanting wheel and separated by a distance on the circumferen ce of thewheel equal to the distance between the hills to be planted, usuallyabout forty-two inches.

To provide for checking the planting-wheels and especially to providefor starting said wheels at the end of each row, so that the hills insaid row will check with the next preceding row, I preferably constructthe checkwheel L in the nature of a starwheel,-with four projecting armsh, arranged on their outer extremities with notched V-shaped teetlrg.The distance between the respective arms,

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there being four, represents one half the distance between the hills tobe planted and the projections g on the check-wire, are formed acorresponding distance apart-in the present case twenty-one inches. Thecheck-wire is held in position to contact with the outer extremities ofthe arms h below the center of their revolution by a guide-wheel h,having a grooved periphery through which the wire is adapted to pass. Itwill be seen that by this construction in starting a new row it is onlynecessary to turn the planting-wheel until the check-wire L engages withthe outer extremity of a given arm .of said wheel, the check-wire beingfirst properly located in the usual manner to insure the proper checkingof the planter throughout said row.

I have shown two checking devices arranged in proximity to each wheel.It will be seen, however, that each one of said devices controls bothplanting-wheels through the axle F, the checking device on one side ofthe machine being used in going in one direction across the field, andthat on the opposite side of the machine being used for convenience ingoing in the opposite'direction. It is obvious, however, that one devicemay be used in all cases, if desired. The guidewheel h is preferablysupported on a hanger 7L2, pivoted at h to a suitable support on thetransverse barE in the main frame, a removable pin or catch 7L5 beingadapted to be withdrawn to permit the hanger to turn on its pivotedcenter to release the check-wire L.

Means may be employed for connecting the removable pin 72 to aconvenient point within the reach of the driver by a foot-lever, orotherwise, so that at or near the end of the row, by withdrawing saidpin or catch, the checkwire may be discharged from the check deviceuntil the row is finished and the machine brought into position for anew row, the distribution of the weight of the guide-wheel on the hangerbeing such that it will be dropped by gravity when the hanger isreleased, so as to assume a position at one side of the line of thecheck-wire, and thus discharge the same.

To guard against dirt or other foreign substances entering thestop-grooves f and f" of the cam J, I preferably provide on thebearing-support, which carries the sliding stop pins f f", a projectingflange f, cast or otherwise formed integral with said bearing-supportand adapted to project up and'cover the concentric grooves f and f.

It is obvious that a machine such as described herein admits of variousmodifications in the arrangement of parts and the mechanicalconstructions. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the arrangements andconstructions shown herein; but

I claim as my invention- 1. In a planter, a planting-wheel having agrain-receptacle with pockets formed in the peripheral walls of saidreceptacle, said pockets being extended beyond the peripheral walls ofthe body of said receptacle, in combination with the dropping mechanismarranged adjacent to said pockets, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a revolving wheel and a stationary cam, agrain-receptacle in said wheel, and a hollow plunger adapted to bereciprocated by said cam so as to communicate with said receptaclethrough a perforation in the wall of said plunger, of a stationary platein said plunger adapted to normally cover said perforation,substantially as specified.

S. The combination, in a planter such as described, with agrain-receptacle, of a hollow movable plunger having a perforationtherein adapted to communicate with said grain-receptacle, and astationary plate located within said plunger and adapted to normallycover said opening, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, ofa hollow plunger having a perforation therein adapted to communicatewith said receptacle, and a stationary plate in said hollow plunger tonormally close said opening, and means for reciprocating said plungerpast said plate to cause the opening to communicate with the interior ofsaid plunger, substantially as specified.

5. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, of ahollow plunger normally closed at its outer extremity and provided witha perforation adapted to communicate with said grain-receptacle, astationary plate within said hollow plunger, adapted to normally coversaid opening, and means for opening the outer extremity of said plungeras the same is reciprocated to cause said opening to communicate withthe interior thereof, substantially as specified.

G. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle withextended recesses or pockets, as described, of a reciproeating hollowplunger arranged adjacent to one of said pockets,a perforation in thewalls of said plunger, adapted to communicate with said pocket, and astationary plate within said plunger, adapted to normally cover saidperforation, said plunger being provided at its outer extremity with ahinged or movable side adapted to be operated by the movement of saidplunger when the perforation has been uncovered by said plate, substantially as specified.

7. The combination,with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle and aseries of movable plungers with perforations adapted to communicate withsaid grain-receptacle, of astationary cam for'operating said plungers, astationary plate suspended within each of said hollow plungers by adetachable connection from said wheel, so as to register with andnormally cover said perforations, and a hinged or movable side at theouter extrem- ITO ity of said plunger, adapted to be moved to form anopening in the same when said plunger is reciprocated, substantially asspecified.

8. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle andextended pockets, of a movable plunger and a stationary plate suspendedwithin said plunger, a perforation in the wall of said plunger adaptedto communicate with said pockets, and a hinged side on said plungeradapted to contact with the periphery of said planting-wheel when theplunger is moved outwardly, substantially as specified.

9. in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, a hollow plungeradapted to project through the periphery of said wheel to form a conduitfor the grain admitted from said receptacle, and a hinged movable sideon said plunger, having projecting flanges to overlap with the sides ofsaid plunger and adapted to be moved to form an opening in the extremityof said plunger, substantially as specified.

10. The combination, in a planting-wheel havinga grain-receptacle, ofahollow plunger or conduit extending through the periphery of saidwheel, means for communicating the interior of said plunger with saidgrain receptacle, and a hinged or pivoted side on said conduit adaptedto be opened to form a communication through the end of said conduit,the hinged and stationary parts of said conduit being provided withoverlapping edges adapted to close the sides of said conduit when themovable partis operated to form an open ing in the extremity thereof,substantially as specified.

11. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, of ahollow plun-.

ger or conduit and means for establishing a communication with saidconduit and the grain-receptacle, and an outer extending portion havinga hinged ormovable side adapted to be operated to form an opening in theouter extremity ofsaid conduit, the movable and stationary parts of saidextended end being provided with scattering and dividing projections todivide the grain in its passage through said conduit, substantially asspecified.

12. The combination, with a grain-receptacle and a hollow conduit orplunger adapted to communicate with said grain-receptacle, of astationary plate within said hollow plunger adapted to cutoff thecommunication between said grain-receptacle and said hollow plunger, amovable side on the outer extremity of said plunger having overlappingflanges to telescope with the sides of the stationary part of saidplunger, and scattering or dividing flanges arranged in the respectiveparts of said plunger and adapted to overlap or telescope, substantiallyas specified.

13. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, ofthe plungers K, having perforations e, stationary plates 6, hinged sidesK, and projecting arms (1, substantially as specified.

ll. The combination, in a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle, of amovable hollow plunger K, having a perforation e, stationary plate 6',adjustable connection 6 hinged portion K, projecting arms (1, andoverlapping flanges (1 substantially as specified.

15. The combination, in a plantingwheel having a grain-receptacle, of ahollow movable plunger having a perforation'in the wall thereof, astationary plate to cover said perforation, a hinged movable part havinga projecting arm and overlapping side flanges, and overlappingscattering projections or dividing-flanges. substantially as specified.

16. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle andone 'or more dropping devices adapted to form a communication from saidgrain-receptacle to the outer periphery of said wheel, of astationarycam for operating said dropping devices,and a detachable holder adaptedto release said cam and cause it to revolve a portion of a revolution toadvance or retard the operation of the dropping mechanism in therevolution of the wheel, substantially as specified.

17. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle anda dropping mechanism, as described, of a normally-stationary cam adaptedto operate said dropping mechanism at dilterent points in the revolutionof said wheel, and a holding device adapted to permit said cam torevolve a por-' tion of a revolution to advance or retard the operationof said dropping device, substantially as specified.

18. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle andone or more hollow conduits leading from said receptacle to theperiphery of said wheel, of a normallystationary cam adapted by therevolution of said Wheel to establish a communication between thegrain-receptacle and said conduits, and. a holding device having movableprojections adapted to release said cam at one point and engage it atanother to change the point of operation of said dropping mechanism inthe revolution of the wheel, substantially as specified.

19. The combination, with a plan tin g-wheel having a grain-receptacleand'the hollow movable plungers forming a communication from saidgrain-receptacle to the periphery of the wheel, of a normally-stationarycam adapted to operate said plungers and a holdingdevice having holdingprojections adapted to release said cam at one point and engage it atanother to change the point of operation of said plungers in therevolution of the'wheel,

substantially as specified. I

20. The combination, in a planting-wheel havinga grain-receptacle, ofaseries of movable plungers operated by anormally-stationary cam toproject through the periphery of said wheel and establish acommunication through the same with the grain-receptacle,

and a holding device having engaging projections adapted to release saidcam at one point and engage it at another, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

21. The combination, in a plantingwl1eel, with the movable plungers anda grain-receptaole, of a normallystationary cam, movable slidingprojections adapted to engage said cam at different points, a pivotedbar connecting said sliding projections, and means for operating saidbar to cause a simultaneous movement of said engaging projections,substantially asspecified.

22. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a grain-receptacle anda dropping device, as described, of a normally-stationary cam J, havingstop-faces f and engaging projections f f and means for simultaneouslymoving said engaging projections to release the cam at one point andengage it at another, substantially as specified.

23. The combination, witha planting-Wheel having a grain-receptacle anda conduit forming a communication from said grain-receptz ole atintervals in the outer periphery of the wheel, of a check-wheelconnected to said planting-wheel, so as to move at the same peripheralspeed therewith, and a stationary checking device having engagingprojections at intervals thereon, said checking-wheel being formed withprojecting arms to permit the checking device to extend from one of saidarms to the other on the chord of an are, substantially as specified.

' 2a. The combination, with a planting-wheel having a planting device atintervals on the periphery thereof, of a check-Wheel connected to saidplanting-wheel and consisting of projecting arms arranged at a distanceapart equal to one-half the distance of the planting projections, and astationary engaging-wire to engage said check-wheel, substantially asspecified.

25. The combination, with a planting-Wheel having a plantingdevice,substantially as described, at intervals on the periphery of saidwheel, of a check-wheel connected to said planting-wheel, so as torevolve at the same peripheral speed therewith, said check-wheel beingformed in the nature of a star-wheel, with projeetingarms having notchedextremities separated from each other by a distance equal to thedistance between the planting projections or a multiple thereof, andengagiug projections on said cheek-wire adapted to engage with the armsof said wheel, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day ofDecember, A. D. 1890.

JOSEPH M. N()l l\'IAN I).

Vitncsses:

PAUL A. S'rluinv, L. F. YOUNG.

